silence

[ sahy-luhns ]

noun

1. absence of any sound or noise; stillness.
2. the state or fact of being silent; muteness.
3. absence or omission of mention, comment, or expressed concern:

   the conspicuous silence of our newspapers on local graft.

4. the state of being forgotten; oblivion:

   in the news again after years of silence.

5. concealment; secrecy.

verb (used with object)

, si·lenced, si·lenc·ing.

1. to put or bring to silence; still.

   Synonyms: gag, muzzle, quell, hush

2. to put (doubts, fears, etc.) to rest; quiet.
3. Military. to still (enemy guns), as by more effective fire.

interjection

1. be silent! “Silence!” the teacher shouted.

silence

/ ˈsaɪləns /

noun

1. the state or quality of being silent
2. the absence of sound or noise; stillness
3. refusal or failure to speak, communicate, etc, when expected

   his silence on the subject of their promotion was alarming

4. a period of time without noise
5. oblivion or obscurity

verb

1. to bring to silence
2. to put a stop to; extinguish

   to silence all complaint

Other Words From

• over·silence noun
• un·silenced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English (noun), from Old French, from Latin silentium, derivative of silēre “to be quiet”; silent

Word History and Origins

Origin of silence¹

C13: via Old French from Latin silēntium, from silēre to be quiet. See silent

Example Sentences

The silence observed at the GOP convention is familiar to those of us who contended for years with Republican parents and relatives.

From Washington Blade

In 2014, NSO had been bought for around $100 million by the American private equity firm Francisco Partners, which had a strict no-press policy that Hulio says led to a harmful culture of silence.

From MIT Technology Review

Last week, I wrote about young activists in North County motivated to protest not only George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis but their own communities’ history of silence on racial justice issues and police brutality.

From Voice of San Diego

Just by having that realm of silence and the room to think, that’s when the ideas appear.

From Science News For Students

Felix explained to PEOPLE that she was first inspired to share her story after two of her former Nike teammates, Olympic runners Alysia Montaño and Kara Goucher, broke their silence on the brand’s treatment of their pregnant female athletes.

From Health

They know they will face either a swift backlash or deafening silence.

From The Daily Beast

If so, he has his silence -- on top of poor judgment -- to blame.

From The Daily Beast

Jay is hard to empathize with and his silence suggests that, yeah, something is up.

From The Daily Beast

“Do not use complaints, courts and lawyers to beat and to silence the enemy,” the NOA activists wrote.

From The Daily Beast

The families announced along with it that they had entered a “phase of silence” surrounding the details of the new deal.

From The Daily Beast

The hum of earnest or glad voices here contrasted strongly with silence and meditation there.

From Project Gutenberg

Janet's silence impressed Hilda: it was not merely strange--it was formidable: it affected the whole day.

From Project Gutenberg

When he had finished, she took them from his hand, and turning them round in agitated silence, examined their seals and writing.

From Project Gutenberg

Of silence before them that salute thee: of looking upon a harlot: and of turning away thy face from thy kinsman.

From Project Gutenberg

There was a deep silence throughout the whole bivouac; some were sleeping, and those who watched were in no humour for idle chat.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blackout
• calm
• lull
• peace
• quiet
• reticence
• secrecy
• stillness